Page 62 of Wolf's Whistle
“He certainly is goal oriented, somewhat like me.” Richard giggled and finally relaxed. “Open your presents, Julio last.” Julio sent him a pout. “No pouting, or I won’t give it to you, and I promise you’ll like it.”
The Mates opened their packages. Each of them had the wolf money clip with yellow topaz eyes.
“By the gods, these are platinum. You went way overboard.” Colin let out a low whistle.
“I wanted you guys to know how I feel about you opening your arms and welcoming a stranger.” Richard sniffed.
“You were no stranger. I talked about you to all of them. They knew how good you were before they met you. Where’s my present?” Julio’s eyes darted around the room looking for the box.
Richard laughed and pulled it out of his pocket. “You’ll never change, my friend. You’re just like Julien, instant gratification. I should make you wait until tomorrow.”
“You wouldn’t.” Julio pouted.
“This is to wear with your much-loved tuxedo.” Richard handed him the small box.
Julio ripped off the paper and opened the lid. He started to cry, throwing his arms around Richard. “I told Etienne that you were the only one before the Mates and him who really knows who I am.”
“So what is it?” Kane asked impatiently.
Julio opened the box and showed the others. Inside, the three-quarter carat pink diamond stud that glittered like starlight.
Etienne came running into the room. “I heard you cry through the Mate link. Are you okay?” Silently, Julio handed him the small box.
“You’re right, Richard does know who you are. It will go beautifully with your tuxedo. Thank you, Richard, you’ve made my Julio very happy, not because it’s a fine diamond, but because you recognize what I saw in him. A diamond in the rough.” Etienne gave Julio a hug. “I have to get back to the others. They’ll all be down here in two minutes if I don’t go back up and tell them everything is fine.”
Julio still sniffled while the others admired their money clips.
“This is going to be very useful.” Sean took his wallet out of his pocket and grabbed his bills, folding them into the clip. “Sometimes I don’t want to haul around the wallet and then I see something I want and can’t get it because I was too lazy to carry the wallet or was wearing a track suit with only a small inside pocket. Thank you, Richard. These are very thoughtful gifts. All of you should look to Richard as an example, he brought chocolates to lunch.”
Ian guffawed. “Donal, even Katya’s cream cakes can’t compete with chocolate when it comes to Sean and with these gifts, you hit the ball out of the park. Speaking of baseball, we should all go to a game with our Alphas one day during the season. Are you a Yankees fan, Richard, or do you root for the Cubs?”
“I was from Oswego, New York, just like Julio. It’s the Yankees all the way.”
“Sean, why don’t you see if Armand can reserve Garou’s skybox for us when…”
§ § §
Etienne walked back into the library. “Take it easy. Julio was overwhelmed by the thought Richard put into his groomsman gift and started to cry.”
“What did Richard get him?” Etienne could see that curiosity ran rampant across Julien’s face.
“A pink diamond stud, three-quarters of a carat, no inclusions to go with his tuxedo. It must have cost him a pretty penny. The others got platinum wolf’s head money clips with topaz eyes.” Etienne picked up the drink he had put down so quickly when he heard his Mate cry. “Julio doesn’t cry. He must have been very moved.”
“Even when he was hurt, he didn’t cry, at least not in front of anyone.” Armand who had stood in alarm when Etienne left the room, sat down and relaxed.
“He said that like me, Richard knows who he is.” Etienne mused. “Fem, but fierce. I love my Julio so much.”
“Julio doesn’t have to try to be a good and thoughtful man.” Alexei stood and poured himself another vodka from the bar. “He’s already made that way. As I know from my Donal, Julio is the gods’ blessing on our group.”
“Yes, he is. I love my Sean, however, except when he is using his gift, he can be somewhat scattered. Julio keeps them all in line. He’s whipped them into shape in such a short time.” Armand pointed to the library table. Isabel and Marie brought up supper. “We’re having veal parmesan.” The Alphas took food from the buffet left out family style on the library table.
“Richard bought me something but he won’t tell me what it is.” Julien pouted. “He didn’t make the Mates wait.”
“You’re actually pouting!” Etienne laughed.
“Richard probably wants to give it to you after you make love. He seems to be romantically inclined.” Gabriel scooped up some spaghetti on his plate.
Julien cocked his head. “Hmm, I believe you’re right. I bought him a signet ring with the initials of our first names entwined.”
